Twas the Night Before .....

the New Year Begins!!!!

and......only 2 sleeves to sew up, and 11 rows of 550 sts in KidsilkHaze and all 2010 projects are finished! Hooray!

The ironing is done (well, some of it)

Friends have been seen (briefly)

Bedding has been changed (almost)

Texts have been sent

Emails have also been sent

Facebook has been updated

Cats have been fed

Tea is cooking

Wine is chilling

Bubbly too (for later)

all that I need to do now is to

Wish you all a very Happy, Healthy, Contented and Rewarding New Year!

Thanks again for all your love, friendship, support, advice, loan of ears, helping hands and comments here on my Blog!
I really do appreciate it, more than I could ever say here!
and

 Msg to Mum and Dad - Love you lots and miss you loads - see you in January!xxxx

My New Year Flowers

 

Fenwicks Christmas Window

Every year Fenwicks put a very special display in their windows - The Christmas Display! Over the years with both Euan and Sarah we have always made special trips to see it, and gaze in wonder. Not so, this year, children growing up, hardly ever in town together has meant that today was the first time we had seen the display for 2010.
The link above is to a lot more photos but the little creature below was my favourite! A bit like me doing my Spring Cleaning!

and another, beacause she moved!

She is very sweet, isn't she?

Also on our walk tonight - the trees in Old Eldon Square - very twinkley!

And finally, because I love this tree, and I love the Blackfriars area, and The Knit Studio - The Walnut Tree - all dressed up for the festivities.

My challenge tonight, is to finish something I am knitting in order to start the New Year with a New Project!
Tomorrow I shall be sewing up a couple of projects (fingers crossed) and that will mean I will end the year with empty needles. Actually, as I write that I can't quite believe it - I may use part of my spare time tomorrow just to double check project bags etc for forgotten items! Wish me luck!!

It's Official, sadly...

After, yet another long conversation with my mum, we have decided it would be best if they do not attempt to travel North until the New Year. This makes me sad for a number of reasons, I miss them, and Christmas just has not been the same, at all, without them. BUT we have been and still are, chez moi, ill with colds, flu, runny noses, hacking coughs and not really a suitable environment for OAP's (sorry mum and dad)! AND mum and dad are not in the best of health just now, and really, we have made the best and most sensible decision. BUT this does not make me feel any better, or make me miss them less, and now I have to break the news to Euan and Sarah - who for the first time have experienced Christmas and Sarah her Birthday, without the comforting presence of the Grandparents!
Maybe I feel their absence more because I am not 'myself' and usually, mum takes up the reins in these situations - you know - 'It's ok, I can do that. You sit down, I'll get you a cup of tea, medicine, Lemsip etc'. and I could sit back in the knowledge that it would all be alright.
Anyway, enough of this self pity! On the plus side it means that when they do come up, the weather may be better, we will all be germ free, the crowds and tourists will have gone from our usual haunts. and.....having missed them so much, we will appreciate their company much more. Bring on 2011!!!!
I have now, placed their suitcases out of sight as just a glimpse of them brings on sadness! (We arrange for the luggage to be collected and delivered here so that mum and dad travel luggage free!) I may have to return the cases though, as according to dad all his 'best' clothes are in them and he's doing a good impression of Compo from Last of the Summer Wine!

More Knitting!

At the end of every year it has always been a family tradition to tidy up, finish off projects, change the sheets on all the beds, and generally get ready to herald in the New Year!
In keeping with this, I am posting more photos of projects that have been completed over the last few months and....I have actually been adding them to Ravelry too! Go me!

Blossom Flower - Crochet Gift - Kidsilk Haze Stashbuster

Blossom Flower - Crocheted Gift - Regia Sock Stashbuster

Blossom Flower - Crochet Gift - Kidsilk Haze Stashbuster

Citron Shawl for Me - circa Oct 2010

Fingerless Mitts - Pattern for new yarn at The Knit Studio

Marvin, the Festive Bunny Nugget who came all the way from Canada! (thanks Glenda) with Robbie the Robin and Snowman Sam, two Christmas Workshop Projects for 2010

Snowman Sam - outside the Knit Studio December, 2010

Robbie the Robin 

Fooling around in the trees outside The Knit Studio

And for those of you who were wondering.... the Seasonal Challenge package contained a wheel of unspun Icelandic - any suggestions/help on a postcard to........

I will need to get my serious thinking cap on to decide what to do with it!

Knitting Content!

I thought, as it getting near the end of the year - I should post some knitting, textile, fibre related things for your perusal!
Some quick projects I  have knitted over the last couple of months -

Fetching Fingerless Gloves

Leaving present for a favourite teacher of Sarah.

Baktus for me - to keep off the chills

My Mobius from my Mobius Scarf Workshop at The Knit Studio

Scribble Lace Scarf using up left over Kidsilk Haze and Colinette Point 5

Slippers from my One Skein Knits Workshop at The Knit Studio

Mini Knits - Garments knitted in the tiniest scale and to perfection by my talented friend Elaine - the buttonholes actually work!

The 50 pence piece added for scale. They are truly amazing aren't they?

 

Advent Calender -

made by the Embroider's Guild -

who used the Knit Studio for a meeting early in December.

And.....

last but not least......

Do you remember I went to Edinburgh recently? This is what Lindsay gave to Janice and I to take home with us. A little parcel of yarn and a challenge!!! I shall keep you updated!

So, as you can see, I have been knitting up a storm in amongst the usual things one does at this time of year.



Happy Birthday

Yes, things change quickly in the Makepeace household at this time of year! Christmas yesterday - Birthday today!

Happy Birthday Sarah!

We got up early and did that mad thing - yes, we hit the Sales!! Bagged ourselves some bargains, Euan bought a ticket to today's Newcastle United football match - everyone is happy! Hooray!
Hope you are all enjoying your Christmas break.

Happy Christmas!

How times change! It is 9.15 am on Christmas Day and I am the only person awake in the house! I may have to let the cats into the house to wake everyone up!
In the meantime, I shall take advantage of the peace and quiet to wish you all a very Happy Christmas and a Happy, Healthy and Prosperous New Year. Thank you to everyone for all your love, support, encouragement, humour, patience and for just being there! I couldn't have achieved all I have this year, without you!
Off to wake up the house now, I want to open my presents!!!

Christmas Plans Thwarted

Yes, I know, it has been a while since my last Blog post! Things have been quite hectic here, and things are NOT going according to plan!
I spent a fab day in Edinburgh last Tuesday and met up with Lindsay, who lives there, and Janice from Aberdeen. We had a great time catching up and had a little 'show and tell' with our current knitting projects.
And after that, well it all starts to go downhill I'm afraid. We have all caught this awful flu' that is doing the rounds, and quite frankly I have felt terrible. One night I did not even knit! so bad did I feel!
We have had incredibly cold temperatures and more snow and it certainly has not put us in the Christmas mood!
BUT
The biggest disappointment has been that because of the weather and Rail problems we have been unable to get my parents to Newcastle for the Christmas festivities! Sarah and I left on Tuesday morning and the plan was to meet mum and dad in London then travel back with them later in the evening. However, electric cables across the railway tracks put paid to that. With all trains out of Kings Cross getting cancelled and hundreds of people getiing stranded at Peterborough, who were heading South. Fortunately, I managed to stop my mum and dad making a useless journey to London but we are all, as you can imagine very sad and disappointed. Christmas will not be the same at all, without them.
I know I should think positive, and think well, at least we all all safe in our own homes, and warm and dry and yes, they can still come up early in the New Year but it's not the same is it? Really?
Mum and dad if you are reading this - We miss you already!!
I have more to post, but will do that later when I may feel a) warmer b) more positive  c) find the photos I want to upload.

An email from School

In these days of modern technology, the school that Sarah goes to sends all important letters by email. This suits me fine, as I no longer find old letters, forms and notes crumpled at the bottom of school or kit bags!
Yesterday, I recieved an email with a photograph attached, and thought you might like to see it.
Sarah (on the right) and her friend Emily.

Cats Playing Pat-a-Cake

Your smile for the day!

OK you can go now!

I really love snow, I do, honestly but....now I have had enough of it.
Yes, it is beautiful, clean, scunchy is great for sledging and snowman building and icicle watching but now it needs to go. I have, like countless others around the UK spent this last week clearing snow, slipping in snow, clearing cars of snow, driving with my heart in my mouth in snow, clearing up after snow escapades, been unable to get the food shopping I would like to because of snow, waiting for the text to say Sarah has a) got to school safely walking through the snow or b) got home safely walking through the snow. And now, I want to feel safe when I walk along the streets, get my daughter to school, let the cats out, get some decent food in, not feel cold all the time!
Please, someone send some warm weather fronts over - maybe a little bit of heat from the Ashes matches? maybe?
On a brighter note, it does seem to have brought out the better side in people - much more smiling and helloing, helping push cars, clear paths, open doors, or oops! are you ok there, do you need a hand? isn't this awful, great, beautiful? It seems the adverse conditions has got perfect strangers talking to each other - marvellous!
I caught a bus home last night that I don't normally catch, the driver assured me he went near the bottom of my road and off we went on a magical mystery tour! I have to tell you he was dressed in a bright red Santa suit and everyone who got on or off the bus, had a chat or a quick joke with him or anyone within earshot - nearly everyone on the bus was smiling! The children thought it was great! I did wonder if I was being whisked away to the North Pole to be a helper, but no such luck! and....I have to admit to feeling a little sad to get off at my stop 'Here we are Pet!' and step into the dark, cold and slippy street and leave the 'Happy Santa Bus' and all it's warmth and humour!

Here are some photos from my week of snow

Part of the walk to Sarah's school at approx 7.30 am Thursday morning.

View accross the other side of the field, same time, same morning.

The milk wearing its' hat! Bring back memories for anyone?

The Knit Studio Friday morning.

Fire Watching!

Did you say something?

Sing A Long, Smile and Forget about Snow!

I am just about to brave the awful conditions to catch a bus down to The Knit Studio but checked my emails first. My brother in law Tim, sent me this - I am still smiling and singing the song - see what you think - Enjoy! I particularly like the leg movements.

Altogether now - Everybody, aaah, aaaah, everybody...........